Becky Austin

A Servant’s Heart (John 13)

11:30 AM




Reading: John 13

The story of Jesus washing the disciples feet is truly a beautiful pictures of selfless love. We are told that Jesus had unwavering love for his disciples, even with the knowledge of their flaws and imperfections. “...Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (v1) This is the same love that Jesus loves us with as well. It is a love that will be with us no matter what. It is a love that will never end. 


“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (v3-5)  Jesus, knowing that he had supreme power and majesty as the Son of God, could have dressed himself in the finest clothes, surrounded himself with the richest earthly treasures and been waited on hand and foot. But, instead, the God of the Universe gave us the example of being a servant. He showed us that we have value. He showed us his greatest desire...to give of himself to us so that we can be purified and have an intimate relationship with Him. 

He even washed the feet of Judas, knowing that Judas would betray him. His love extends to all men, even those who will reject the love He offers. 


Jesus showed us that there is no task of service that should be beneath us. This is something we should remember as we go through our daily lives, being asked to give of our time, our energy and our resources...in our jobs, caring for our families, in the often mundane duties of daily responsibilities and tasks. It is something we should remember when He shows us the needs of others. We are called to be servants to each other.  “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (v14-15)  


Washing the feet of the disciples was an intimate physical cleansing but it also was symbolic of spiritual cleansing. Peter initially didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet because he thought that it was dishonorable for his master to do such a thing. When he realized it had spiritual significance, he quickly jumped to the other extreme and asked for a full body bath. But, Jesus explained that He only needed his feet washed. Spurgeon gives this explanation:

He that believeth in Christ is fully forgiven. He is like a man who has gone into the bath, and washed, but, when he steps out of the bath, and puts his foot on the ground, he often soils it, so that, before he robes himself, he needs to wash his feet again. That is our condition as believers in Jesus; we are washed in his precious blood, and are whiter than snow; but these feet of ours constantly touch this defiling earth, so they need every day to be washed.


If you have accepted the salvation of Jesus you are spiritually washed white as snow. You are 100% forgiven and accepted. You are granted eternal life. But, we live in this fallen, sinful world and we still experience the sinful tainting of living life on this imperfect earth. It is important to daily renew our minds and daily commune with God to keep the grime of life from clinging to us. Daily, we need to let Him wash our feet. 

1 Corinthians 12

You Are Considered “Essential” (1 Corinthians 12)

12:30 PM



Reading for Thursday: 1 Corinthians 12

Like many states right now, the government in my state has decided that during the Coronavirus crisis, only “essential” businesses can remain open. Only “essential” employees should go to work and everyone else should stay home.  I couldn’t help but notice from this chapter, that in the Kingdom of God, there is no division of  essential vs nonessential roles or workers. Every single one of us is considered “essential” to God. 

Why are we “essential”? Because we are the workers through which His Spirit operates in the world. He equips each of us with spiritual gifts but it is His Spirit that is the One at work. Why does He empower you and I with these spiritual gifts? Certainly not for our sole benefit or glory, but rather for the benefit of the common good. 
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (v4-7)

We are given different gifts but each member of God’s kingdom is as essential as another. Perhaps you doubt that you matter but God says that whatever your role, you are meant to be a vital member of the body of Christ.  He gives us a practical analogy. 
“For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?” (14-17)

I am a health care worker at a hospital, therefore I have been deemed an “essential” worker during this crisis. Normally, I would only work in my usual role as a Physical Therapist. But, because these are not “normal” circumstances, I have had the unique opportunity to act in other roles within the hospital. Some days I am a PT but other days I have worked with “environmental services” cleaning rooms and scrubbing toilets, or I have manned entrances taking temperatures of employees and visitors, or I have assisted the seamstresses in making thousands of PPE items or I have cross- trained as a nursing assistant. I’ve been granted the unique opportunity to experience various roles in the hospital and to learn how important each one is to the greater good of the hospital. It’s truly been humbling and eye opening. I have learned to appreciate these varying roles. So too, should we value that each of our Christian brothers and sisters have contributions to make and we are part of a team that should support one another “.....that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” (24-26)

I hope that these far from “ normal” circumstances that we find ourselves in remind us that even though we are socially distancing from each other, we still have spiritual unity because we still belong to the body of Christ. We can use this “alone time” to continue to build our individual relationships with Christ and we can also reach out to others to extend encouragement and hope, and to continue letting others know that they are loved and valued by God. We may not meet together in the same physical place but we still are united in prayer and compassion for the world. Ask God to show you how He wants to use you and your gifts that He has empowered you with to serve the common good even in such unusual times. God says that even now, you are “essential” in His eyes!

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (v27)
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example

Scripture Saturday~Washing One Another's Feet...

12:00 AM

Saturday, October 13, 2018



Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is John 13:14,15...

 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should was one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (NIV)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!

Becky Austin

Straight Paths, Prepared Hearts (Luke 3-4:13)

3:25 AM


As John the Baptist is called forth by God to start his ministry, we are given some historical markers. From these facts, we learn that it is a time when Israel is under oppressive rule by the Romans.  The Roman rulers are immoral, self-seeking and cruel. Evil and corruption are prevalent in the surrounding cultures and society. John the Baptist is sent to prepare the hearts of the people to be receptive of the spiritual Messiah they so desperately need.

“As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”” (3:4-6)

I love the wording of these verses. The world is skewed by the evil influence of Satan.  God, however wants to put things back in order. He wants to get the people off of wrong paths, and steer them clear of wrong thinking, wrong attitudes, and wrong perspectives. He wants them to see clearly the path that He wants them to follow. He wants them to clearly see their greatest need...Jesus.

As the crowds gathered, John warned the people that they couldn’t bank on being the son of Abraham for acceptance by God. Instead, they were accountable for the condition of their heart and their heart had to be truly repentant of sin. The same is true for us. It doesn’t matter if we were raised in Church, if we attend church regularly, or whatever else in our life there might be that makes us appear to be a Christian. What matters is if our hearts are humbled, repentant and obedient. 

John warns that not everyone would be saved “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (3:9)
The people wanted to know what they could do to bear good fruit. John gave 3 specific examples.
1.     To Those Who Had Been Blessed With Material Means: “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” (3:11)
2.     To The Tax Collectors: “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” (3:13)
3.     To The Soldiers: “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” (3:14)

Each of these examples addressed how people treated each other and how they manifested the selfless love of Christ in their daily life. When you reflect upon your own particular station or position in life, what do you think John would have said to you as examples of ways that you could extend the love of Christ to others. 
May I encourage you to seek the straight path of God’s selfless love and abundant truth and bring a repentant heart with you. Be receptive to God as He reveals to you ways that you can bless and serve the people you have direct impact and influence upon. 

Jesus is always there for you, to clearly show you the path to travel.
In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him..Psalm 37:23

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

The Holy Spirit will help you to bear good fruit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galations 5:22-23




Becky Austin

When Being First Matters (Mark 9-10)

10:43 PM

The world says “ To be successful others must serve you.”  God says “ If you want to be first, then you must serve others.”  This is a common theme, especially in the NT. It’s human nature to want to push ourselves to the forefront, to claim the spotlight, to be the one calling the shots. Even the disciples who spent day after day calling Jesus Lord and Messiah still had desires to be considered special and important. The disciples tried to keep their ambitions among themselves but Jesus knew their lofty thoughts and desires. He knew their worldly and very upside down way of thinking. 

“And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.””
Mark 9:33-35 

Jesus taught that the love of God was a selfless serving love that put the needs and wellbeing of others first. When the rich ruler approached Jesus he asked: “ What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He wasn’t as interested in eternity, however, as he was in having all that the world had to offer. When Jesus told him he needed to sell all of his worldly possessions to follow him, the rich man was devastated. He had a choice to make and he chose the comfort and power of wealth over an intimate relationship with Jesus and eternity in heaven. Sadly, this is the fate of many around us as the world entices them with the false security of “ getting ahead”, of having the favor of others and the illusion of being first. 

Even the disciples questioned how could someone be saved when the enticing power of being self-seeking was such a powerful force. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.””
Mark 10:27 That is why we are blessed to have God’s saving grace.  God can transform our selfishness into that serving love that characterizes His kingdom. Jesus serves as the greatest example of humbling Himself to serve others. 
“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
Mark 10:43-45 
Jesus wants to develop that same love in us and keep us focused on who we are “ in Him”.  Being “ in Christ” is the highest level of gain we could ever hope to have. 


God's Word in our Hearts

Scripture Saturday~ Serve Others

12:00 AM

Saturday, September 15, 2018


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is Mark 10:45

 For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to live My life as a ransom for many. (NLT)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!

Becky Austin

Sheep and Goats (Matthew 24-25)

12:09 AM




There are some great passages in Chapters 24 and 25 but what really caught my eye this time as I read them was the final part of Chapter 25. In this Chapter vs 31-46 talk about The Final Judgement. Jesus divides the human race into 2 distinct groups, Sheep and Goats. The Sheep are welcomed into the peace and rest of heaven and eternity with God. The Goats, however, are placed into eternal separation from God, forever removed from His love and mercy. At the end of our time on Earth, we will be identified with one of these 2 groups. It may not always be easy for us to recognize Sheep from Goats but God knows. 
Sheep are mentioned throughout the Bible. One of the most important things about sheep are their need for and dependence on a shepherd and also each other. Sheep are not self sufficient and they do not live out their life in isolation. They thrive in the midst of a flock of sheep who are under the care and guidance of a skilled shepherd. The Bible encourages believers to be part of a flock and great emphases is placed on relationships with others. 
"Some Christians try to go to heaven alone, in solitude. But believers are not compared to bears or lions or other animals that wander alone. Those who belong to Christ are sheep in this respect, that they love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God’s people.” Charles Spurgeon
As Jesus separates the sheep and the goats, he makes his distinction based on the presence or absence of a relationship. The litmus test of a relationship with Jesus becomes tied to how we serve Him by our relationships with others.  This is what Jesus will say to his sheep:
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”
(25:34-36 )
Jesus will put people in our paths with needs. In fact, all around us are people with needs. An important question to ask is ‘What do we do with the resources Jesus gives us?’ Do we intentionally put those resources to good on behalf of others? Do we utilize our abilities, talents, time and finances for the genuine good of others? Do we extend financial or material help as we are able? Do we extend spiritual guidance and emotional support?  Do we extend the love and knowledge of Jesus to others?
If we have the love of Jesus in our hearts, we will naturally want to extend that love in service to others. “ 
Jesus knows his sheep. He knows their dependence on Him. He knows their services towards each other? When they stand before Him at the Final Judgement he will acknowledge that they knew Him too. “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
What are the loyalties of your heart? Does the love of Jesus manifest in genuine concern and action to support others? Which group will you be placed in on that Final Judgement Day? 


Unawares by Emma A Lent
They said, "The Master is coming
To honor the town to-day,
And none can tell at what house or home
The Master will choose to stay."
And I thought while my heart beat wildly,
What if He should come to mine,
How would I strive to entertain
And honor the Guest Divine!
And straight I turned to toiling
To make my house more neat;
I swept, and polished, and garnished.
And decked it with blossoms sweet.
I was troubled for fear the Master
Might come ere my work was done,
And I hasted and worked the faster,
And watched the hurrying sun.
But right in the midst of my duties
A woman came to my door;
She had come to tell me her sorrows
And my comfort and aid to implore,
And I said, "I cannot listen
Nor help you any, to-day;
I have greater things to attend to."
And the pleader turned away.
But soon there came another—
A cripple, thin, pale and gray—
And said, "Oh, let me stop and rest
A while in your house, I pray!
I have traveled far since morning,
I am hungry, and faint, and weak;
My heart is full of misery,
And comfort and help I seek."
And I cried, "I am grieved and sorry,
But I cannot help you to-day.
I look for a great and noble Guest,"
And the cripple went away;
And the day wore onward swiftly—
And my task was nearly done,
And a prayer was ever in my heart
That the Master to me might come.
And I thought I would spring to meet Him,
And serve him with utmost care,
When a little child stood by me
With a face so sweet and fair—
Sweet, but with marks of teardrops—
And his clothes were tattered and old;
A finger was bruised and bleeding,
And his little bare feet were cold.
And I said, "I'm sorry for you—
You are sorely in need of care;
But I cannot stop to give it,
You must hasten otherwhere."
And at the words, a shadow
Swept o'er his blue-veined brow,—
"Someone will feed and clothe you, dear,
But I am too busy now."
At last the day was ended,
And my toil was over and done;
My house was swept and garnished—
And I watched in the dark—alone.
Watched—but no footfall sounded,
No one paused at my gate;
No one entered my cottage door;
I could only pray—and wait.
I waited till night had deepened,
And the Master had not come.
"He has entered some other door," I said,
"And gladdened some other home!"
My labor had been for nothing,
And I bowed my head and I wept,
My heart was sore with longing—
Yet—in spite of it all—I slept.
Then the Master stood before me,
And his face was grave and fair;
"Three times to-day I came to your door,
And craved your pity and care;
Three times you sent me onward,
Unhelped and uncomforted;
And the blessing you might have had was lost,
And your chance to serve has fled."
"O Lord, dear Lord, forgive me!
How could I know it was Thee?"
My very soul was shamed and bowed
In the depths of humility.
And He said, "The sin is pardoned,
But the blessing is lost to thee;
For comforting not the least of Mine
You have failed to comfort Me

1 Corinthians 16

Do All In Love [ 1 Corinthians 16 ]

12:30 AM



This is the final chapter in 1 Corinthians and Paul closes this book with a letter of encouragement and endearment to the church of Corinth.  Included are some timeless principles that we can apply. 

Sharing Our Prosperity:  Paul encourages the members of this church to consistently give some of the resources God has blessed them with to be sent to the saints in Jerusalem. “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” (v2)  God wants us to realize that all we have comes from Him.  When He prospers us, we have opportunity to pass that blessing on as a cheerfully offered gift toward the Lord's work.  "As every man purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or out of compulsion; for God loveth the cheerful giver. (2 Cor.  9:7)"

Spending Time With Others: There are resources of money and provisions that can be collected and given to God's ministry, but another important investment we can make is spending valuable time with others. Paul was a busy man but he made it a priority to spend time forming relationships with others which is a true discipleship ministry. “For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits." (v7) He also expected to gain from these relationships and I think we can always gain from spending time with each other in the Lord.  “and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.” (v6) It is a beautiful relationship when people can  mutually benefit one another. 

Welcoming and Supporting Others:  Throughout this letter Paul mentions others visiting this group of believers.  He wants this church to reflect the love of Christ in how they welcome those who visit. He encourages them to be supportive, non-judgmental, and to put others "at ease". It can be awkward and uncomfortable for others to visit a church.  It can mean so much when we offer more than a casual, brief handshake or smile of greeting.  " To put someone at ease" means we make genuine connection. 

Remain In Christ:  “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (v13-14). Paul exhorts this church to be vigilant, strong and faithful.  What's wonderful, I think, is that the warrior image he paints for us includes a very important character quality...sacrificial love.  What a difference it would make if we could do all (including the mundane, difficult, unpleasant, and seemingly unrewarding tasks) with Christ's love. 

I hope that reading this letter to the church of Corinth has  inspired you to give of your resources and talents,  to invest time and genuine interest in others through discipleship, to extend comfort and hospitality that welcomes others into God's family, and to focus on being a channel and example of Christ's love in all that you do.